Epilator

ABSTRACT

An epilator includes a housing, a drive mechanism, and an epilation head mounted on the housing. The epilation head includes a barrel rotatable about a longitudinal rotation axis of the barrel and operatively connected to the drive mechanism for driven rotation of the barrel about its rotation axis. The barrel has an outer surface spaced transversely from the barrel rotation axis. The barrel has a convex longitudinal contour across at least a portion of the barrel outer surface. The barrel further has a plurality of sets of tweezer plates accessible from the outer surface of the barrel. Each set includes a first tweezer plate and a second tweezer plate. At least one of the first and second tweezer plates is moveable relative to the other one of the first and second tweezer plates for contact with each other in response to rotation of the barrel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.61/788,012, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire specification of which isincorporated herein.

FIELD

The field of the invention relates generally to epilators and morespecifically an epilator having a rotatable convex barrel.

BACKGROUND

Epilators are devices configured to grasp and pull or pluck hair from auser, including portions of the hair below the skin surface. Oftenepilators include a plurality of gripping members in the form of set oftweezer plates supported by a rotatable barrel. At least one of thetweezer plates of the set of tweezer plates is moveable relative to theother as the barrel rotates to grasp and pull hair from the user. Knownepilators have cylindrical barrels or concaved barrels (i.e., barrelshaving a concaved longitudinal contour). That is, the outer surface ofknown epilator barrels is generally flat or concaved. However, epilatorshaving cylindrical and concaved barrels are unable to adequately pullhair from curved portions of the body (e.g., the underarms, the bikiniarea, the back of the knees). There is thus a need for an epilatorhaving a barrel curved to better interface with the curves of the user'sbody, including the underarms, bikini area, and the back of the knees.

Additionally, in typical epilators, a transmission gear that operativelyconnects the barrel to drive motor in the handle is located at one endof the barrel, for example longitudinally between the barrel and a mountor cam plate that supports the barrel. There is need, however, for atransmission gear that is located longitudinally outward of the mount orcam plate to permit a reduction in size of the transmission gear. Thiswould allow for an improved gear train ratio from the drive motor to thebarrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, an epilator generally comprises a housing, a drivemechanism, and an epilation head mounted on the housing. The epilationhead comprises a barrel rotatable about a longitudinal rotation axis ofthe barrel. The barrel is operatively connected to the drive mechanismfor driven rotation of the barrel about its rotation axis. The barrelhas an outer surface spaced transversely from the barrel rotation axis.The barrel has a convex longitudinal contour across at least a portionof the barrel outer surface. The barrel further has a plurality of setsof tweezer plates accessible from the outer surface of the barrel. Eachset comprises a first tweezer plate and a second tweezer plate. At leastone of the first and second tweezer plates is moveable relative to theother one of the first and second tweezer plates for contact with eachother in response to rotation of the barrel.

In another aspect, an epilator generally comprises a housing, a drivemechanism, and an epilation head mounted on the housing. The epilationhead comprises a barrel rotatable about a longitudinal rotation axis ofthe barrel. The barrel is operatively connected to the drive mechanismfor driven rotation of the barrel about its rotation axis. The barrelhas longitudinally opposite ends, a longitudinal center, and a diameter.The diameter of the barrel at the longitudinal center is greater thanthe diameter of the barrel at least at one of the longitudinallyopposite ends thereof. The barrel further has a plurality of sets oftweezer plates. Each set of tweezer plates comprises a first tweezerplate and a second tweezer plate. At least one of the first and secondtweezer plates is moveable relative to the other one of the first andsecond tweezer plates for contact with each other in response torotation of the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one suitable embodiment of an epilator.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an epilation head for use with the epilator ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rotatable barrel foruse in an epilation head of an epilator;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a right side elevation thereof;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support assembly of the rotatablebarrel of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation thereof;

FIG. 12 is a left side elevation thereof;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a right side elevation thereof;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a right gear member of the rotatablebarrel.

FIG. 18 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 19 is a right side elevation thereof;

FIG. 20 is a rear elevation thereof;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 22 is a left side elevation thereof;

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of one center disc of the rotatablebarrel;

FIG. 25 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 26 is a right side elevation thereof;

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation thereof;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 29 is a left side elevation thereof;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of one flanking disc of the rotatablebarrel;

FIG. 31 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 32 is a right side elevation thereof;

FIG. 33 is a rear elevation thereof;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 35 is a left side elevation thereof;

FIG. 36 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a bail spring of the rotatable barrel;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of one movable tweezer plate of therotatable barrel;

FIG. 39 is another perspective view of the tweezer plate of

FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a partially exploded perspective view of the rotatable barrelof FIG. 3.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of one pin of the rotatable barrel;

FIG. 42 is a rear elevation thereof;

FIG. 43 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 44 is a right side elevation thereof;

FIG. 45 is a front elevation of the pin similar to FIG. 43, with acoiled spring located on a shaft of the pin; and

FIG. 46 is vertical cross-section of the rotatable barrel of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates one suitableembodiment of an epilator, indicated generally at 1, comprising ahousing 3 having a gripping portion 5 (broadly, a “first housingportion”) and an epilation head 7 (broadly, a “second housing portion”)selectively attachable to and detachable from the gripping portion. Thegripping portion 5 of the illustrated epilator includes a suitabledriving mechanism (not shown) that is operably connectable to the head 7when the head is attached to the gripping portion. The head 7 of theepilator 1 supports a rotatable barrel, indicated generally at 9, havinga plurality of sets of tweezer plates adapted to grasp and pull the hairfrom the user. Each set of tweezer plates comprises a first tweezerplate and a second tweezer plate with at least one of the first andsecond tweezer plates being moveable relative to the other one of thefirst and second tweezer plates for contact with each other in responseto rotation of the barrel.

FIG. 2 illustrates another suitable embodiment of an epilation head 11selectively attachable to and detachable from the gripping portion 5.Thus in the illustrated embodiment, the user can readily change betweenthe head 7 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the head 11 illustrated in FIG. 2.It is understood, however, that either of the heads 7, 11 can benon-removably attached to the gripping portion 5. It is also understoodthat the housing 3, including the gripping portion 5 and/or the head 7,can have any suitable size and shape. In one suitable example, thehousing 3 can be adequately sized and shaped for use in removing hairover broad portion of the user's body (i.e., arms, legs). In anothersuitable example, the housing 3 can be adequately sized and shaped foruse in removing hair over smaller, more focused portions of the user'sbody (i.e., armpits, bikini area, face).

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the heads 7, 11 has an opening 13, 13′in the outer surface through which the tweezer plates of the barrel areexposed. The heads 7, 11 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are generallydome-shaped adjacent the opening therein. More specifically, at least aportion of each of the outer surfaces of the heads 7, 11 adjacent theopenings 13, 13′ has a longitudinal convex contour. It is contemplatedthat the heads 7, 11 can have any suitable size and shape withoutdeparting from some aspects of this invention.

FIGS. 3-9 illustrate one suitable embodiment of a rotatable barrel,which is indicated generally at 10, for use in an epilator, such as theepilator 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The rotatable barrel 10 comprises asupport assembly 12, a pair of gear members 14 supported by the supportassembly, a plurality of rotatable discs 16 in face-to-face relationshipwith each other and disposed between the gear members, and a bail spring19. The support assembly 12, the gear members 14, rotatable discs 16 andbail spring 19 are indicated generally by their respective referencenumbers. The gear members 14 are adapted to operatively connect to asuitable drive mechanism for rotation of the gear members relative tothe support assembly 12. As described in more detail below, rotation ofthe gear members 14 results in corresponding rotation of the rotatablediscs 16 and in the longitudinal movement of a plurality of moveabletweezer plates 18 (broadly, a “first tweezer plate”) relative to aplurality of corresponding stationary tweezer plates 20 (broadly, a“second tweezer plate”). The tweezer plates 18, 20 are configured tocooperatively grasp hair of the user and pull the hair from the user'sbody during each rotation of the barrel 10.

The support assembly 12, which is illustrated in FIGS. 10-16, comprisesa base, indicated generally at 26, and a pair of spaced apart mounts,indicated generally at 28, extending upward from the base. The base 26includes a pair of beams 30 and a platform 32 extending between thebeams. The illustrated platform 32 is concave for allowing the gearmembers 14 and the rotatable discs 16 to rotate freely past the base 26.Each of the beams 30 comprises a front, a back, a top, a bottom and apair of ends. As seen in FIG. 10, the beams 30 include a socket 34adjacent each of its ends. With reference now to FIGS. 11 and 13, eachof the beams 30 includes an upper notch 36 in the top of the beam and anextension 38 extending downward from the bottom.

With reference again to FIG. 10, each of the mounts 28 of the supportassembly 12 include an annular cam member 40, a pair of legs 42extending downward from the annular cam member, and a post 44 extendingoutward from each of the legs. Each of the posts 44 is sized and shapedfor a snap fit connection with one of the sockets 34 of the base 26.Each of the annular cam members 40 has a first side 46 (i.e., an outerside as seen in FIGS. 12 and 15) and a second side 48 (i.e., an innerside as seen in FIG. 10). The first side includes a channel 50 forreceiving the bail spring 19. The second side 48 defines a cam surfacehaving a cam 52. An annular support surface 54 extends between the firstside 46 and the second side 48. Each of the annular support surfaces 54is sized and shaped for rotatable receiving one of the gear members 14.It is understood that the base 26 and the mounts 28 can be coupledtogether in any suitable manner. It is further understood that the base26 and the mounts 28 can be formed as single-piece.

FIGS. 17-23 illustrate one of the gear members 14 illustrated in FIGS.3-9. Specifically, FIGS. 17-23 illustrate the right gear member 14 asseen in FIG. 3, however, the left gear member is similar inconstruction. Each of the gear members 14 includes an end disc 60 and adrive shaft 62 extending outward from the end disc. A transmission gear64 configured to operatively engage the drive mechanism of the epilatoris formed integral with the drive shaft 62. In the illustratedembodiment, the transmission gear 64 has a diameter approximately equalto the diameter of the drive shaft 62. It is understood, however, thatthe transmission gear 64 can have a diameter greater or smaller than thediameter of the drive shaft 62. The end disc 60 includes inner face 66(FIG. 22), an outer face 68 (FIG. 19), and an outer edge 70 (FIG. 18).The drive shaft 62 extends outward from the center of the outer face 68and is surrounded by an annular wall 72, which is spaced from the driveshaft to define a channel 74. A plurality of circular openings 76 (eightbeing illustrated in FIG. 19) are circumferentially aligned and disposedbetween the drive shaft 62 and the annular wall 72.

The inner face 66 of the end disc 60 includes a plurality of receptacles(four being illustrated in FIG. 22) for receiving one of the moveabletweezer plates 18. In one suitable embodiment, each of the receptaclesis disposed in a different plane. In the illustrated embodiment, forexample, the end disc 60 includes a first receptacle 80, which comprisesa raised surface having a first height, a second receptacle 82, whichcomprises a recessed surface having a first depth, a third receptacle84, which comprises a recessed surface having a second depth greaterthan the first depth, and a fourth receptacle 86, which comprises arecessed surface having a third depth greater than both the first andsecond depths. Each of the receptacles 80, 82, 84, 86 includes a post 88for mounting the respective movable tweezer plate 18 to the end disc 60of the gear member 16. One of the openings 76 through the end disc 60 islocated in each of the receptacles 80, 82, 84, 86. The inner face 66 ofthe end disc 60 further includes a plurality of peripheral posts 90 forconnecting the gear member 14 to the adjacent rotatable discs 16.

With reference now to FIG. 18, the outer edge 70 of the end disc 60 ofthe gear member 16 is beveled. More specifically, the outer edge 70 isangled upward from the outer face 68 to the inner face 66. For example,the outer edge 70 is angled upward at about angle α in the range ofabout 5 degrees to about 30 degrees, and in the illustrated embodimentabout 19 degrees. It is understood that the outer edge 70 of the enddisc 60 can have other suitable angles within the scope of thisinvention.

As seen in FIG. 4, the three rotatable discs 16 comprises a center disc100 and two flanking discs 102 with one of the flanking discs beingdisposed on one side of the center disc and the other flanking discbeing disposed on the opposite side of the center disc. It iscontemplated that the rotatable barrel 10 seen in FIGS. 3-9 can compriseany suitable number of center discs and/or flanking disc 102. Forexample, the rotatable barrel 10 can include two center discs 100 andfour flanking discs 102 with two of the flanking discs being disposed onone side of the center discs and the other two flanking discs beingdisposed on the opposite side of the center discs.

The center disc 100, which is illustrated in FIGS. 27-29, comprises twosides 104, 106 and an outer edge 108. A plurality of openings 109 (eightopenings being illustrated in the illustrated embodiment) extend throughthe center disc 100. Each of the sides 104, 106 of the center disc 100includes plurality of receptacles (four receptacles on each side beingillustrated in FIGS. 26 and 29) for receiving one of the moveabletweezer plates 18. Each of the receptacles is disposed in a differentplane. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, each side of thecenter disc 100 includes a first receptacle 110, which comprises araised surface having a first height, a second receptacle 112, whichcomprises a recessed surface having a first depth, a third receptacle114, which comprises a recessed surface having a second depth greaterthan the first depth, and a fourth receptacle 116, which comprises arecessed surface having a third depth greater than both the first andsecond depths. One of the openings 109 is located in each of thereceptacles 110, 112, 114, 116. The center disc 100 further includes aplurality of peripheral apertures 118.

The outer edge 108 of the center disc 100 has a plurality of stationarytweezer plates 20 extending outwardly therefrom. The outer edge 108 ofthe illustrated center disc 100 has eight stationary tweezer plates 20with the stationary tweezer plates being arranged in pairs wherein oneof the stationary tweezer plates partially overlaps the other. Alsoextending outward from the outer edge 108 of the center disc 100 is aplurality of skin engaging nubs 111. As seen in FIG. 25, the outer edge108 of the illustrated center disc 110 is generally flat (i.e., notangled) in cross-section. It is understood, however, that the outer edge108 can be convex in cross-section.

FIGS. 30-36 illustrate only one of the two flanking discs 102 of FIGS.3-9. However, the other (non-illustrated) flanking disc 102 issubstantially identical to the one illustrated in FIGS. 30-36. Theflanking disc 102 seen in FIGS. 30-36 comprises two sides 120, 122 andan outer edge 124. A plurality of openings 126 (eight openings beingillustrated in the illustrated embodiment) extend through the flankingdisc 102. Each of the sides 120, 122 of the flanking disc 102 includes aplurality of receptacles (four receptacles on each side beingillustrated in FIGS. 32 and 35) for receiving one of the moveabletweezer plates 18. Each of the receptacles is disposed in a differentplane. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, each of the sides120, 122 of the flanking disc 102 includes a first receptacle 128, whichcomprises a raised surface having a first height, a second receptacle130, which comprises a recessed surface having a first depth, a thirdreceptacle 132, which comprises a recessed surface having a second depthgreater than the first depth, and a fourth receptacle 134, whichcomprises a recessed surface having a third depth greater than both thefirst and second depths. One of the openings 126 is located in each ofthe receptacles 128, 130, 132, 134. One side of the flanking disc 102,which is seen in FIG. 35, include a post 136 within each of the fourreceptacles 128, 130, 132, 134 for mounting one of the moveable tweezerplates 18 thereto and a plurality of peripheral post 138. In addition,the flanking disc 102 includes a plurality of peripheral apertures 140.

The outer edge 124 of the flanking disc 102 includes a plurality ofstationary tweezer plates 20 extending outwardly therefrom. The outeredge 124 of the illustrated flanking disc 102, for example, has fourstationary tweezer plates 20. Also extending outward from the outer edge124 of the flanking disc 102 is a plurality of skin engaging nubs 142.As seen in FIG. 34, the outer edge 124 of flanking disc 102 is beveled.More specifically, the outer edge 124 is angled upward from one side tothe other. For example, the outer edge 124 may be angled upward at anangle 13 in the range of about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees, and in theillustrated embodiment it is about 8 degrees. It is understood that theouter edge 124 of the flanking disc 102 can have other suitable angles.

With reference now to FIG. 37, the bail spring 19 comprises an arcuateconnecting portion 150 and a pair of spaced-apart raiser portions 152extending outward from the arcuate connecting portion. Each of theraiser portions includes a hook portion 154. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 8,the two hook portions 154 are configured for insertion into the channels50 on the first side 46 of the annular cam members 40 of the mounts 28.The bail spring 19 is adapted to apply a compressive force to the mounts28 of the support assembly 12 and thereby the rotatable barrel 10.

As seen in FIGS. 38 and 39, each of the moveable tweezer plates 18includes an attachment portion 160 and an engagement portion 162. Theattachment portion 160 is tapered away from the engagement portion 162and toward its free end. The attachment 160 includes a first opening 164and a second opening 166. The first opening 164 in the illustratedattachment portion 160 is circular. The second opening 166 comprises afirst larger portion 168 and a second smaller portion 170 (FIG. 39). Theengagement portion 162 of the illustrated moveable tweezer plate 18includes an arcuate outer edge 172 adapted to engage the skin of theuser. The engagement portion 162 tapers from the outer edge 172 towardthe attachment portion.

FIG. 40 is a partially exploded view of the rotatable barrel 10illustrated in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 40, each of the receptacles 110,112, 114, 116 of the center disc 100 has one of the moveable tweezerplates 18 therein. Each of the moveable tweezer plates 18 received inthe receptacles 110, 112, 114, 116 of the center disc 100 are disposedadjacent one of the eight stationary tweezer plates 20 extending outwardfrom the outer edge 108 of the center disc 100. The moveable tweezerplates 18 and corresponding stationary tweezer plates are configured tograsp and pull hair from the user during use. The plurality ofperipheral post 138 disposed on the flanking disc 102 are received incorresponding peripheral apertures 118 formed in the center disc 100. Asa result, the moveable tweezer plates 18 are captured between the centerdisc 100 and the corresponding flanking disc 102. In addition, the posts136 on the flanking disc 102 are disposed within respective firstcircular openings 164 of the moveable tweezer plates 18.

When assembled, each of the receptacles 128, 130, 132, 134 in theflanking disc 102 has one of the moveable tweezer plates 18 therein.Each of the moveable tweezer plates 18 received in the receptacles 128,130, 132, 134 of the flanking disc 102 are disposed adjacent one of thefour stationary tweezer plates 20 extending outward from the outer edge124 of the flanking disc 102. The moveable tweezer plates 18 andcorresponding stationary tweezer plates are configured to grasp and pullhair from the user during use. The plurality of peripheral posts 90disposed on the respective gear member 14 are received in correspondingperipheral apertures 140 formed in the flanking disc 102. As a result,the moveable tweezer plates 18 are captured between the flanking disc102 and the corresponding gear member 14. In addition, the posts 88 onthe gear member 14 are disposed within respective first circularopenings 164 of the moveable tweezer plates 18.

With reference still to FIG. 40, eight pins (broadly, “actuatingmembers”), indicated generally at 200, are generally circumferentiallyaligned and extend through the openings 76 in the gear member 14. Fourof the pins 200 operatively engage the moveable tweezer plates 18disposed between the gear member 14 and flanking disc 102. The otherfour pins 200, which are longer, extend through the openings 126 in theflanking disc 102 and operatively engage the moveable tweezer plates 18disposed between the flanking disc 102 and the center disc 100.

As seen in FIGS. 41-45, each of the pins 200 includes a head indicatedat 202, a shaft indicated at 204 extending from the head and a tipindicated at 206. The head 204 includes a front 208, a back 210, a top212, a bottom 214, and two sides 216. The top 212 and bottom 214 of thehead are generally arcuate and adapted to be received within the channel74 defined by the drive shaft 62 and annular wall 72 of the gear member14. The top 212 of the head 202 has a greater length than the bottom 214of the head. Moreover, the top 212 of the head 202 includes a notchedportion 220. The shaft 204, which is generally cylindrical, extends fromthe back 210 of the head 202. The shaft 204 includes two opposed flats222 that extend the length of the shaft. The free end of the shaft 204is angled (or sloped) toward the flats 222. The tip 206 of each of thepins 200 includes an engagement portion defined by an annular groove 224extending about the circumference of the tip. The tip 206 furtherincludes a beveled outer face 226.

With reference to FIGS. 40 and 45, a coiled spring 230 circumscribeseach of the shafts 204 of the pins 200. As a result, the coiled springs230 are disposed between the head 202 of the pin 200 and the outer face68 of the end disc 60 of the gear member 14 and bias the pins away fromthe gear member. As a result, the heads 202 of the pins 200 are biasedagainst the cam surface defined by the second sides 48 of the annularcam members 40 of the mounts 28 of the support assembly 12. As mentionedabove, the hook portions 154 of the bail spring 19 are inserted into thechannels 50 on the first side 46 of the annular cam members 40 of themounts 28 and apply a compressive force to the mounts of the supportassembly 12 and thereby the rotatable barrel 10.

FIG. 46 is a cross-section of the rotatable barrel 10 taken from FIG. 4.As seen in FIG. 46, the barrel 10 has a longitudinal axis LA and atransverse axis TA. As described in more detail below, the barrel 10 isrotatable about the longitudinal axis LA. With reference again to FIG.46, the barrel 10 has an outer surface 300 spaced transversely from thelongitudinal axis and has a convex longitudinal contour across at leasta portion of the outer surface 300 of the barrel 10. In the illustratedembodiment, only portion of the outer surface 300 of the barrel 10convex longitudinal contour. It is understood, however, that the entireouter surface 300 can have a convex longitudinal contour.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convex portion of the outer surface300 of the barrel 10 is defined by the outer edge 108 of the centerdisc, the outer edges 124 of the flanking disc, and the outer edges 70of the end discs 60 of the mounting gears 14. In one suitableembodiment, the convex portion of the outer surface 300 may have aradius in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm, and in theillustrated embodiment the radius of curvature is about 19 mm. It isunderstood that the radius of curvature of the convex portion of theouter surface 300 be greater or less than the above range and remainwithin the scope of this invention.

As seen in FIG. 46, the center disc 100 has a diameter (i.e., thedistance from the longitudinal axis LA to the outer edge 108) and theflanking discs 102 have a diameter (i.e., the distance from thelongitudinal axis LA to the respective outer edge 124). The outer edge108 of the illustrated center disc 100 is generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis LA. As a result, the center disc 100 has a generallyconstant diameter across its width. The outer edges 124 of theillustrated flanking disc 102 are sloped or otherwise angled downwardaway from the center disc 100. That is, the diameter of the flankingdisc 102 decreases across its width moving away from the center disc100. Accordingly, the flanking disc 102 has a maximum diameter adjacentthe center disc 100 and a minimum diameter spaced from the center disc.The diameter of the center disc 100 is greater than at least the minimumdiameter of the flanking disc 102. In the illustrated embodiment, thediameter of the center disc 100 is greater than at least the minimumdiameter of the flanking discs 102. In one suitable embodiment, thediameter of the center disc 100 is greater than both the minimum and themaximum diameters of the flanking discs 102. Thus, the diameter of thebarrel 10 at the longitudinal center (i.e., along the transverse axisTA) is greater than the diameter of the barrel at the longitudinallyopposite ends thereof.

As mentioned above, the barrel 10 can include more than one center discand more than two flanking discs 102. For example, the barrel 10illustrated in FIG. 46 could include two center discs 100 havingsubstantially the same diameter and four flanking discs 102 with two ofthe flanking discs being disposed on one side of the center discs 100and the other two flanking discs being disposed on the opposite side ofthe center discs. In such an embodiment, each of the flanking discs 102could have a diameter less than the diameter of the center discs 100. Itis contemplated the longitudinally outermost flanking discs 102 of suchan embodiment of the barrel 10 could have a diameter less than thediameter of the inner flanking discs 102 such that the outer surface 300of the barrel is continuously convex.

In use, the drive mechanism (e.g., a battery or ac motor) of theepilator 1 engages and rotates the transmission gear 64 of one or boththe gear members 14. The rotation of the transmission gear 64 by thedrive mechanism results in rotation of the barrel 10 about thelongitudinal axis LA thereof. More specifically, rotation of thetransmission gear 64 results in conjoint rotation of the gear members14, the pins 200 and springs 230 carried by the gear members, theflanking discs 102 and the center disc 100. During rotation, the fronts208 of the heads 202 of the pins 200 slidingly engage the cam surface onthe second side 48 of the annular cam members 40 of the mounts 28. Asthe heads 202 rotate over the cams 52 of the cam surface, the respectivepin 200 is pushed longitudinally inward (see, e.g., the upper right pinillustrated in FIG. 46). The tip 206 of the pin 200, which isoperatively connected to one of the moveable tweezer plates 18, resultis the tweezer plate moving relative to the corresponding stationarytweezer plate 20 for grasping and pulling hair from the user.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above products and methodswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An epilator comprising: a housing; a drivemechanism; and an epilation head mounted on the housing and comprising abarrel rotatable about a longitudinal rotation axis of the barrel, thebarrel being operatively connected to the drive mechanism for drivenrotation of the barrel about its rotation axis, the barrel having anouter surface spaced transversely from the barrel rotation axis, thebarrel having a convex longitudinal contour across at least a portion ofthe barrel outer surface, the barrel further having a plurality of setsof tweezer plates accessible from the outer surface of the barrel, eachset comprising a first tweezer plate and a second tweezer plate, atleast one of the first and second tweezer plates being moveable relativeto the other one of the first and second tweezer plates for contact witheach other in response to rotation of the barrel.
 2. The epilator setforth in claim 1 wherein the barrel has a convex longitudinal contouracross the entire barrel outer surface.
 3. The epilator set forth inclaim 1 wherein the barrel comprises at least three discs including acenter disc and at least one flanking disc on each side of the centerdisc along the barrel rotation axis, each disc having a diameter whereinthe diameter of the center disc is greater than the diameter of eachflanking disc, each disc carrying at least one of the first and secondtweezer plates.
 4. The epilator set forth in claim 3 wherein each dischas an outer edge in part defining the outer surface of the barrel, theouter edge of the center disc being generally parallel to the barrelrotation axis.
 5. The epilator set forth in claim 4 wherein the outeredge of each flanking disc slopes downward away from the center disc. 6.The epilator set forth in claim 3 wherein the barrel comprises more thanthree discs, the barrel including at least two center discs havingsubstantially the same diameter.
 7. The epilator set forth in claim 1wherein the barrel has longitudinally opposite ends, the epilation headfurther comprising a gear member longitudinally adjacent one of thelongitudinal ends of the barrel in operative connection with the barrel,the gear member having an outer surface with a convex longitudinalcontour generally in continuance of the contour of the barrel at saidlongitudinal end.
 8. The epilator set forth in claim 1 wherein theepilation head comprises a pair of gear members, each gear member beinglongitudinally adjacent a respective longitudinal end of the barrel inoperative connection with the barrel, each gear member having an outersurface with a convex longitudinal contour generally in continuance ofthe contour of the barrel at the respective longitudinal end of thebarrel.
 9. The epilator set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing has anouter surface and an opening in the outer surface through which thetweezer plates of the barrel are exposed, the outer surface of thehousing having a longitudinal convex contour generally corresponding tothe longitudinal convex contour of the barrel outer surface.
 10. Theepilator set forth in claim 9 wherein the housing is generallydome-shaped adjacent the opening therein.
 11. The epilator set forth inclaim 1 wherein the housing comprises at least a first housing portionand a second housing portion separable from the first housing portion,the epilation head comprising the barrel and the second housing portionsuch that the epilation head is separable from the first housingportion, the second housing portion having an outer surface and anopening in the outer surface through which the tweezer plates of thebarrel are exposed, the outer surface of the second housing portionhaving a longitudinal convex contour generally corresponding to thelongitudinal convex contour of the barrel outer surface.
 12. An epilatorcomprising: a housing; a drive mechanism; and an epilation head mountedon the housing and comprising a barrel rotatable about a longitudinalrotation axis of the barrel, the barrel being operatively connected tothe drive mechanism for driven rotation of the barrel about its rotationaxis, the barrel having longitudinally opposite ends, a longitudinalcenter, and a diameter, the diameter of the barrel at the longitudinalcenter being greater than the diameter of the barrel at least at one ofthe longitudinally opposite ends thereof, the barrel further having aplurality of sets of tweezer plates, each set of tweezer platescomprising a first tweezer plate and a second tweezer plate, at leastone of the first and second tweezer plates being moveable relative tothe other one of the first and second tweezer plates for contact witheach other in response to rotation of the barrel.
 13. The epilator setforth in claim 12 wherein the diameter of the barrel at the longitudinalcenter is greater than the diameter of the barrel at each of thelongitudinally opposite ends thereof.
 14. The epilator set forth inclaim 13 wherein the diameter of the barrel generally graduallydecreases from the longitudinal center toward the longitudinal ends ofthe barrel.
 15. The epilator set forth in claim 12 wherein the barrelcomprises at least three discs including a center disc and at least oneflanking disc on each side of the center disc along the barrel rotationaxis, each disc having a diameter wherein the diameter of the centerdisc is greater than the diameter of each flanking disc, each disccarrying at least one of the first and second tweezer plates.
 16. Theepilator set forth in claim 15 wherein the barrel comprises at leastfive discs including a plurality of center discs each having the samediameter and together defining the longitudinal center of the barrel,the flanking discs each having a diameter less than the diameter of thecenter discs.
 17. The epilator set forth in claim 15 further comprisinga gear member disposed longitudinally adjacent one of the flanking disc,the gear member having an end disc with the diameter, the diameters ofthe center disc and each flanking discs being greater than the diameterof the end discs.
 18. The epilator set forth in claim 15 wherein theepilation head comprises a pair of gear members, each gear member beinglongitudinally adjacent a respective one of the flanking disc, each gearmember having an end disc with a diameter, the diameters of the centerdisc and each flanking discs being greater than the diameters of the enddiscs.
 19. The epilator set forth in claim 18 wherein each of the gearmembers includes a drive shaft extending outward from the end disc andan annular wall spaced from the drive shaft to define a channel.
 20. Theepilator set forth in claim 19 further comprising a plurality of pinsdisposed in each of the channels, each pin being operatively connectedto at least one of the first and second tweezer plates.